US703743A - Playing attachment for key musical instruments. - Google Patents

Description

No. 703,743 Patented JuIy I, |902.

H. M. SALYER. PLAYING ATTACHMENT FOR KEY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

(Application led Jan. 10, 1901. Renewed May 5, 1902.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

mr; 10mn.: r-msns co, Pueroumn. wAsmAGToN, n C.

Patented July l, |902.

H. M. SALYER. PLAYING ATTACHMENT FOR KEY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

(Application led Jan. 10, 1901. Renewed May 5, 1902.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

TH: Normas PETERS co. Puo'roumo., wAsHmoTnN, D. c.

No. 703,743. Patented IuIy I, |902. H'. M. SALYER.

PLAYING ATTACHMENT FDR KEY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

(Application iIed Jan. 10, 1901. Renewed May 5, 1902.)

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I wf BY mmc@ im @f /WATTORNEY me wams PETERS cu. PHu'mLl'mo., wAsmNsToN, l). l:4

`VUNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

.HARRY M. SALYER, OF NFA/Y YORK, N. Y., `ASSIGNOR TO LUDlVlG d: COMPANY, OF NFV YORK, N. Y., A FIRM.

PLAYING ATTACHlVlEN-TFGR KEY MUSICAL lNSTRUNIENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 703,743, dated July 1, 1902.

Application illed .Ianuary 10,1901. Renewed May 5.1902. Serial No. 105,975. (No model.)

To al?. 'wl/,0712, 71T'. may cori/cern.:

Beit known that I, HARRY INLSALYEE@ citizen of the United States, and a resident ofthe city of New York, borough of the Bronx, in the county of New `York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Playing Attachments for Key Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic playing attachments for key musical instruments; and the object of myinvention is to'provide a new and improved attachment of this kind which is simple in construction, effective in use, and permits of automatically controlling pedals, volum es and intensity of sound, and all such other variations in the playing of a melody that vare requisite for properly and fully expressing the composers musical intentions.

In the accompanyingdrawings,iu whichlike letters of reference indicate like parts in all the iigures, Figure lis a front elevation of my improved self-playing attachment, parts being in section, some broken away and others omitted. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional View of the valve for controlling the amount of compressed air admitted into the key-striker-mechanism air-chambers. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional View on the line 3 3 of Fig. l, showing a pneumatic key striker mechanism and attachments. Fig. L is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 4. L of Fig. l, also showing the casing for the attachment in section. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the lever-board. Fig. (5 is an enlarged edge elevation of the notesheet-reversing gear. Fig. 7 is au enlarged vertical sectional View of one of the controlling-valves for the attachment on the line 7 7 of Fig. l. Fig; S is a front elevation, partly A motor S, preferably operated by compressed air, drives the mechanism for winding a perforated music-sheet or note-sheet t from one roller and upon another,which sheet rests u pou a bridge provided with ducts which are closed by said sheet except at. such times when a hole in the sheet registers with the end `Each striker mechanism has a controllingvalve A5 for controlling the admission of compressed air from the air-chamber B to the striker mechanism. Adjacent to and parallel with each compressed-air chamber B a chambcr B' is located, which vseveral chambers B are connected by pipes B20 with a suction device or bellows A12 of any suitable or desired construction for exhausting the air from the chambers B and other chambers. At each striker mechanism a neck or hub B2 extends transversely through the chamber B and is provided with holes B3, communicating with the chamber B. In each hub B2 a valve-stein B'l is guided to movelengthwise, and one end of this vstem rests against one face of a diaphragm B5, against the opposite face of which the stem A" of the valve A3 rests. The opposite end of the stem BL rests against a diaphragm B, held by a cap BT in a socket BS on the side of the chamber B', which cap has a neck B, from which a tube O Vextends to a duct D' in the duct-bridge D, over which the perforated note-sheet! passes.

YVhen a key-striking mechanism is at rest, the note-sheet closes the duct D' and the air is exhausted from the corresponding tube C, and thus the diaphragm BG is held in equilibrium, as there is the same suction on both faces of it. As soon as the duct D] is opened by the registering of ahole in the note-sheet with the duct atmospheric air passes into the tube O and to the left face of the dia- ICO phragm B6. The suction in the chamber l acting on this large diaphragm causes a movement to the right, and this takes the valve A off the seat. It is true that this suction acts Aon the diaphragm B5 in reverse direction;

but as only that small portion of the diaphragm B5 at the center of the same correspending to the diameter of the bore in which the stem B" moves is affected, and this'portion is exceedingly small in comparison with The diaphragm B, it does not prevent the movement taking place as described. Likewise the atmospheric pressure on the righthand side of the diaphragm can only be effective at this small central portion, and hence does not interfere with the above-described movements. lVhen the valve A5 is moved oft its seat, the compressed air from the chamber B enters the striker mechanism and forces down the diaphragm A and the striker-rod. Normally the diaphragm BG and the diaphragm B5 balance each other, and the suction cannot move the stem B4 when the duct C is closed; but when the duct C is open this equilibrium is destroyed and the stem B4 is moved to the right. As soon as' the corresponding duct D is closed by the notesheet t the parts return to their original positions by reason 'of the confined air being drawn off through the exhaust-vent d into the exhaust-chamber d in the bridge or tracker-board D. A valve C'r1 is provided in each striker mechanism and is opened by the air-pressure in the cham berll to a degree commensurate with the pressure in said chamber. For the purpose of accentuating any one note by delivering a harder blow by the striker more compressed air must be permitted to pass from the chamber B, and this is accomplished by opening the valve C'l to a greater extent. For that purpose the stem of the valve C'L is attached to a diaphragm C5, on which compressed air can act, which is conducted into the cap C( of said diaphragm through a tube C from a compressed-air chamber C7. These aceentuating mechanisms are coupled together and operate in a manner which is shown in general in Fig. l for the purpose of general illustration only; but as the details of construction and operation of the accentuating mechanism do not form a part ot' the invention to be described or claimed in the present application no further description will be given than is necessary to state what they are. Between. the partition or wall D2 and bridge Dl two short shafts E and F are mounted to turn and on their outer ends carry the cog-wheels E and F in two vertical parallel planes, as shown in Figs. S and t). The wheel lt is about three times the diameter ot the wheel F, so that the rerolling-roller, which is driven by the wheel F, will be rotated about three times as fast as the music-rolling roller, which is driven by the wheel E.

A shaft F2 is driven by bevel-gearing or otherwise from the motor S, and on it a sleeve l 'roar/ae F'I is mounted te slide lengthwise and to turn with said shaft, which sleeve carries a cogwheel F5, which can engage either the cogwheel E or an idle wheel F, according to the position of the sleeve F4, which idle wheel engages the wheel F. y

The sleeve F'l is provided with an annular groove F7 for receiving the forked end G of a lever G, pivoted at G2 to a standard G3, which lever is provided below its pivot with a ring-shaped enlargement G", having two diametrically opposite internal beveled escapement-teeth G5, and which teeth can be acted upon by escapement-pins G, arranged in a circle on one tace ol an escapement-disk H and projecting into the circular enlargement GA1 oi' the lever G.

The disk H is 'fixed on one end of a shaft H, journaled in a suitable support. Said shaft carries a ratchet-wheel H2, which 1s engaged by a pawl H3 on a lever Il", mounted to rock on 'the shaft ll and resting on the upper end of the plunger-rod H5 of a pneumatic mechanism H, from which a controlling-tube R5 extends to a duct D in the duct-bridge D, so that every time a hole in the note-sheet registers with this duct the pneumatic mechanism will be operated and the ratchet-wheel H2 turned the distance of one tooth.

The lever G is provided at its pivoted end with two opposite arms I and l', which are in contact with the upper ends ot' the stems of two puppet-valves l2 and 13, respectively, which valves are pressed by their springs I'1 upward against seats in the small valve-casings l and l, having ducts lT ls, extending to the outer air, and which d ucts can be closed by the valves l2 and lg, respectively.

One arm l or l is raised when the other is lowered, and the valve below the lowered arm is held open while the other is held closed by its spring.

Every time the lever Ill is thrown up by the pneumatic mechanism l-l the ratchetwheel Il is turned one tooth and the disk Il is turned the distance of one pin G6. As a pin Go alternately acts en the two opposite escapement-teeth Gl", the lever G is alternately thrown in one direction or the other every time the pneumatic mechanism Il is operated.

lVhen the lever G, Fig. 8, is thrown kto thc right, the cog-wheel F5 is engaged with the playing cog-wheel E, and when the lever G is thrown to the lett the cog-wheel. F is cngaged with the cog-wheel F and the rewinding` cog-wheel F is operated.

rlhe compressed air,which may be produced by foot-power or by means of a motor oi any suitable kind, is stored in the tank .l and from the same is conducted by the tube J', part of which is shown Vin Fig. -1, to a valvecasing J3, which is connected by a neck Ji with a similar valve-casing Jl, this latter easing being connected by a neck J5 on its top with a compressed-air chamber J.

lVithin the casing .V a central hub K is IOO coarse formed on a horizontal partition K of this casing, which hub has an annular chamber K2 open at the top only and in communication with the neck J3, leading to the valvecasing J 2.

A valve K4, adapted to rest on and close the top of the hub K has a stem K5 passing down through the central bore of the hub K and attached at its lower end to a diaphragm K6, clamped in the bottom part of the valvecasing J4 below the horizontal partition K'. That part of the casing J1 below the diaphragm has a neck K1, and a small hole KS in the horizontal partition K' establishes communication between the neck J1 and that part of: the casing between said partition and the diaphragm K0.

The valve-stem K5 has a duct K'J extending` upward from its lower end-that is, from below the diaphragm-to the space between the partition K' and diaphragm K6, as shown in Fig. 7.

An adjusting-screw K10, extending down into the valve-stem K5 from the top, serves for adjusting the size of the efficient opening of the duct K9.

A tube L, connected with the valve-casing J1, is in communication with that part of the casing J4 above the upper end of the hub K. The other end of this tube L is connected with a valve-casing L', which by means of its two apertured necks L2 is in communication with the two (or more) air-chambers B, Fig. 2.

The casing L' has a transverse partition L3, from which a hub Ll1 projects, which is provided with an annular chamber L, open at the free end of said hub, and with this annular chamber L5 the tubo L is connected.

The open end of the chamber L5 can be closed by a valve L, adapted to seat on the end of the hub LL and provided with a valvestem L'1, extending through the hub and beyond the Valve L6.

Diaphragms LS and L", secured in the casing L', are attached to opposite ends of the valve-stem L7.

A helical spring M is confined between that end ot the valve-stem L7 carrying the dia phragm L8 and an adjusting-screw M in one end of the casing L', and by means of which screw M the tension of the spring M can be adjusted. A hole N in the partition L3 establishes communication between the casing L' and the space between the partition Ls and the diaphragm LS.

Beyond the diaphragm L the casing L' l is a second transverse partition O,having a central hole O', which can be closed by a valve O2, having its stem O3 passing through said hole and secured to a diaphragm O1, secured in the casing beyond the partition G9 by a cap O5, having a neck OG. A tube OT extends from the space between the diaphragm O1 and partition O2 to the bellows or a suctiontube connected therewith. L11 is a vent-hole in the extreme opposite end ot the casing L'.

A duct F, formed in the right-hand end of the valve-stem L7, connects the compartments at opposite sides of the diaphragm L9 with each other and can be adjusted in area by means of the screw P', extending longitudinally through the valve-stem and projecting through and beyond the screw M', Fig. 2. A tube P2 extends from the neck O ot the cap O5 to a duct D in the bridge D.

A tube Q extends from the bottom neck K7 of the valve-casing J1 to the casing l, Fig. 8, and a tube Q extends from this casing` 1G to a cock Q2, having a handle-lever Q3, and from this cock Q2 a tube Q," extends to the bottom neck of the valve-casing J2, Fig. l.

A tube R, having a cock R', provided with a handle-lever R2, extends from the valvecasing J2 to the motor S.

A tube R3 extends from the cock R to the compressed-air chamber Hof the pneumatic mechanism H6. A tube R5 extends from the valve mechanism of the pneumatic mechanism H6 to a duct D in the bridge D, and another tube R extends from this valve mechn anism to the cock S', having a spring-pressed handle-lever S2, which normally keeps this cock closed.

A pneumatic mechanism T of suitable construction is connected with the compressedair chamber JG, and its plunger-rod or pistonrod T' extends downward and is provided at its lower end with a pad T2, which bears on the forte-pedal 'nt of the piano.

The rod T passes through an opening in a fixed bracket T5 and is pressed upward by a helical spring T1, surrounding the rod T' and bearing with its ends on said bracket and on a collar T5 on said rod. The same mechanism is provided for the piano or damping pedal, with the difference that for this pedal the rod T' is provided with a groove or notch T6 for receiving the end of a spring-pressed latch T7, which when the rod T of the pianopedal has been forced down by its mechanism automatically locks it in lowered position, as shown in Fig. l.

A pivoted elbow-lever V can act on the latch TT to withdraw the same, thus releasing the piano-pedal-operating rod and permitting its spring to throw it upward. The lever V can be operated at the desired time by means of a pneumatic mechanism V', which is controlled from the note-shect by means of'an air-tube V2, extending to the bridge D.

The music-roll e is removably mounted on one end ot the shaft E and a suitable bearing on the partition j, and the rewinding-roll f is mounted in a similar manner on the shaft F and a bearing on the partition f. Fach duct D in the bridge D communicates by means of a line aperture dwitha chamber d', formed in the bridge, and said chamber is connected by a tube d2 with the vacuum-bellows A12 or a tube connected therewith, so as to keep the air rarelied in the said chamber d. Each aperture d can be adjusted in size by a IOO IIC

fr Vm:

screw (Z3, oi` which one is provided for each duct. Vhenever a duct is closed by the music-sheett after having been opened by the registering ot a hole in the sheet with a duct, the air remaining in the duct and the tube leading from the same to a pneumatic mechanism is thus drawn into the chamber d and from the same by the tube d.

The operation is as follows: l will first describe the operation of some ot' the parts and then the operation of the entire mechanism. As the compressed air can pass through the hole KS in the partition K of the valve-casing J", Fig. 7, into the space above the diaphragm KG and from this space through the duct It into the space below the diaphragm, the pressure on the top and bottom ot' the dia phragm will be equal as long asv the coinpressed air cannot escape from the space below the diaphragm, and thus the diaphragm is held in equilibrium and the compressed air acting' upward on the valve Kl can lift said valve, permitting compressed air to escape into the space above the valve KV an d to pass oft through the tube L. Whenever communication is established with the -outer air by Opening the end of the tube Q, connected with the neck K7 of the valve-casing Jl, this equilibrium is destroyed, as the compressed air can escape from below the diaphragm liu. The pressure on the top of the diaphragm is now much greater than the pressure upward on the valve K4, as 'the diaphragm is much greater in area than the valve. The valve in the casingJ2 operates in the same manner as the valve in the casing J4. The spring lli in the valve-casing L', Fig. 2, is set i'o'r a certain desired air-pressure in the compressedair chambers B. As certain parts of a piece of music must be played more forcibly than others, a greater quantity ot compressed air must be admitted into the chambers B when such parts are to be played. lVhen the tube P2, connected with the neck 060i" the casing L', is closed by the note-sheet t, the same airpressure acts on both sides of the diaphragm L". The diaphragm Oi normally holds the valve O2 closed. This air-pressure acting on the diaphragm LS compresses the spring M to such an extent as to allow it to hold the valve LG open only to such degree as is commensurate with the desired pressure in the chambers i5. `When a hole in the note-sheet t registers with the tube P2, air passes into the chamber at the right of the diaphragm O4, Fig. 2, and presses the diaphragm to the left as the air is rareied between the diaphragm O'L and the partition O, thereby opening the hole O' and permitting the compressed airin the space be` tween the diaphragm Li) and the partition Cy to escape through said hole O and be carried ol't by the suctiontube Ol'. The greater pressure on the left-hand side of the diaphragm L0 now assists the spring M by counteracting the pressure on the diaphragm Ls and permits the spring M to hold the valve L; open to its greatest capacity as long as the valve 0 is Iros,

I held open. As soon as the tube Piis closed by the note-sheet the valve Osis closed, and there will be the same pressure on both sides ofthe diaphragm L and greater pressure on the right-hand side ol the diaphragm LH, which acts against the spring M, and thus the valve L" is brought back to its normal position and only the normal quantity of compressed air is admitted into the compressed-air chambers B. Vhen the sleeve F4, `Fig. 8, is in position to roll the music-sheet upon the roller c, the instrument must play and compressed air must be admitted into the chambers B, and, on the other hand,when the note-sheet is being wound back upon the :roller f-that is, rerolledHthe instrument must not play and no compressed air must be admitted to the chambers B, as this would produce discordant noises. Ji/'hen the sleeve Fl is in position for winding the note-sheet on the roller e-that is, for playinghthe arm I holds'the valve l2 open and permits the spring ll of thc valve to hold the same closed, and vicc versa. V/'hen the note-sheet is being wound on the roller f that is, rerolled-the arm I holds the valve I open and permits the spring l to hold the valve lil closed. Every time the direction oi' winding the notesheet t is changed the positions of the valves l and I3 must be changed accordingly. The coclc Q2 is normally open, as is also the valve i3, and eonsequently the valve in the casing J2 is held on its seat and no compressed air can pass into the chambers J2 J1. The valve in the casing J2 being held on its seat consequent upon the cock Q2 being normally open is because it is similar to the action upon the valve Kl in the casing J'l consequent upon the valve l being open. To start the instrument, the handle-lever Q, Fig. 5, is moved to the left, whereby the cock Q2 is closed, and thus the valve in the casing JT3 can be raised by the compressed air and compressed air admitted into the casing J2, which compressed air passes through the casing Jl iuto the tube L and from the same to chambers i3. The valve is remains closed7 as the sleeve Fl has not been shifted, and consequently the air passing from the casing J2 into the casino' J'I can lift the valve K in the casingJl. At the saine time the motor S is operated by the compressed air passing to the same through the tube l, and the 1n usiesheet or note-sheet/y is unwou n d from the roller tfupon the roller c. [it the end of the tune a hole in the notesheet t registers with the duct LV, connected with the tube R, and the pneumatic mechanism HG is operated and throws up the. lever llt, whereby the arms I and l are so shifted as to open the valve l and close the valve l'l and to reverse the winding-gear. 'lhe closing of the valve l2 has no effect, as the cock Q? is already closed; but by the opening ot' the valve l the valve K* in the l casing Jl is closed, and thus the supply ol' i compressed air to the chambers i3 is shut ol'l, 1 but not the supply to the motor, which con TOO IIO

tinues to run until the sheet t is rerolled upon the roller f. Before the end of the sheet is reached a hole in the same again registers with the duct D', connected with the tube R, the pneumatic mechanism Il is. again operated, the winding-gear is reversed and the valve I3 closed and the valve 12 opened, and so on alternately until it is desired to stop playing by moving the lever Q2 to the right, whereby the cock Q2 is opened. When, then, the end of the tune is reached, the valve l2 is again opened, the compressed air shut oit from the chambers B, and the music-sheet t rewound upon the roilerf, and then the pneumatic mechanism HG is again operated in the manner set forth by means of the hole provided for that purpose in the end of the sheet, and the parts are brought into the positions shown in Fig. S-that is, the valve l2 is closed and at the same instant the valve l2 is opened. As the cock Q2 has already been opened during rewinding to stop the instrument, and thus communication established between the outer air andthe space below the diaphragms in the casing J2, the valve in the casing J2 is closed as soon as the valve I2 is opened, and thus the supply ot compressed air shut oft entirely and the instrument stopped with all parts in position for playing, and the instrument will begin to play as soon as the cock Q2 is closed again. When it is desired that the music shall be played faster, the cock R is opened to a greater extent, so as to admit more compressed air to the motor S. lf at any time it is desired to stop before a tune is iinished and to reroll the sheet t, the springpressed lever S2 is pressed to the right, Fig. 5. Thereby air is admitted into the pneumatic mechanism H and the sleeve F" is shifted and the positions of the valves I2 l3 changed instantlyin the same manner as they would have been changed automatically at the end of the tune, and consequently the sheet is rerolled and all the mechanism stopped, as set forth above.

Having described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with pneumatic playing mechanisms, a duct-bridge and means for moving a music-sheet over the same, of a pneumatic mechanism for reversing the music-sheet-moving gear and at the same time controlling the admission of air to the pneumatic playing mechanisms, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with pneumatic playing mechanisms,a duct-bridge and means for moving a music-sheet over the same, of a pneumatic mechanism for reversing the music-sheet-moving gear and at the same time controlling the admission of air to the pneumatie playing mechanisms, and a motor for operating the music-sheet-moving gear, substantially as herein shown and described.

3. In a self-playing.attachment for musical instruments, the combination with pneumatic playing mechanisms,a duct-bridge and means i'or moving a music-sheet over the bridge, of two valve-casings, a valve in each for controlling the admission of compressed air to the pneumatic mechanisms, a tube connected with each casing, a controlling-valve connected with each tube, means for operating said valves so as to keep one open while the other is closed and a pneumatic mechanism foi-operating said means, substantially as herein shown and described.

i. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with pneumatic playing mechanisms,a d uct-bridge and means for moving a music-sheet over the bridge, of two valve-casings, a valve in each for controlling the admission of compressed air to the pneumatic mechanisms, a tube connected with cach casing, a controlling-valve connected with each tube, means for operating said valves so as to keep one open while the other is closed and a pneumatic mechanism for operating said means and a hand-cock in the tube connected with one of said casings, substantially as herein shown and described.

5. in a self-playingattachment for musical instruments, the combination with pneumatic playing mechanisms,a duct-bridge and means i'or moving a music-sheet over the same, of a valve-casing connected with a compressedair-supply tube, a valve in said casing, pneumatic means for controlling said valve and a pneumatic mechanism for actuating said pneumatic \\'alve-oontrolliug means and the music-she'et-moving means, substantially as herein set forth.

o'. In a self-playing attachment for musical instrtimen ts, the combination with pneumatic playing mechanisms,a d uct-bridge and means for movinga music-sheet over the same, of a valve-casing connected with a compressedair-supply tube, a valve in said casing, asecond valve-casing, Conner-ted with the iirstmentioned valve-casing, a valve in said second casing, a pneumatic means in each casing for controlling the valve therein, a pneumatic mechanism for controlling the sheetmoving means and the pneumatic valve-controlling menus at the same time, substantially as herein shown and described.

7. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with pneumatic playing mechanisms,a duct-bridge and means i'or movinga music-sheet over the same, of a valve-casing connected with a com pressed-airsupply tube, a valve in said casing, a compressed-air motor, a tube connecting the niotor with said valve-casing, a second valvecasing connected with the iirst-mentioned valve-casing, compressed-air chambers connected with said second valve-casing, a valve in said second casing, a pneumatic means for each casing for controlling the valve therein, and a pneumatic mechanism for controlling the sheet-moving means and the pneumatic IIC Ifo

valve controlling means aforesaid, at the same time, substantially as herein shown and described.

S. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a ductbridge, and means for moving a music-sheet overthe same, of compressed-air chambers, a a valve for controlling the admission of compressed air into said chambers, a tube connected with the casing ot said valve, a valve at the end of said tube, a cock in said tube and a pneumatic mechanism for controlling the sheet-moving mechanism and the valve at the end of the above-mentioned tube, substantially as herein shown and described.

9. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a ductbridge and a means for moving a music-sheet over said bridge, of a pneumatic mechanism forcontrolling said sheet-moving means, compressed-air chambers, a valve controlling the admission of compressed air into said chambers, means for controlling the said admission-valve by hand, and additional means for controlling the said ad mission-valve autom atically, which automatic means are operated by the pneumatic mechanism controlling the sheet-moving means, substantially as herein shown and described.

10. Ina self-playing attachment i'or musical instruments, the combination with two musicsheet-roller shafts, of gearing for rotating them, a means for throwing either shaft in gear, a pneumatic mechanism for operating the gear-shifting means and means for controlling the supply of motive power to the key-actuating mechanism, by the same pneumatic mechanism that operates the gear-shifting means, substantially as herein shown and described.

l1. Inaself-playingattachmentfor musical instruments, the combination with two musicsheet-roller shafts, oi' gearing for rotating` them, a sleeve for throwing either shaft in gear with the driving mechanism, a lever for operating the sleeve, a pneumatic mechanism for operating the lever step by step and a valve for controlling the music producing mechanism, which valve is also controlled b v said lever, substantially as herein shown and described.

l2. Inasell-playingattachmentfor musical instruments, the combination with a ductbridge,of means for moving a music-sheet over coarse gear, a lever for shifting the sleeve, two arms on said lever, a pneumatic mechanism for operating the lever, two valves for controlling the admission oi' compressed air to various pneumatic mechanisms, a valve for controlling each admission-valve, said controllingvalve having stems in the paths of the arms of the aforesaidlever, substantially as herein shown and described.

13. in a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a ductbridge and means for moving a music-sheet over the same, of compressed-air mechanisms for operating the sound-producing devices and rareed-air mechanisms for controlling said compressed-air mechanisms from the music-sheet, substantially as herein shown and described.

14. In a self-playing attachment for 1n usical instruments, the combination with a ductbridge and means for moving a music-sheet over the same, of compressed-air mechanisms for operating the 1n usic-producing and other devices, a rareiied-air mechanism, connected with each compressed-air mechanism and ducts extending` from said rareIied-air mechanisms to the duct-bridge, substantially as herein shown and described.

l5. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments the combination with a ductbridge having ducts and a chamber connected with all the ducts, of means for adjusting the connection between each duct and said chamber and means it'or rareiying the air in said chamber substantially as herein shown and described.

1G. In aself-playing attachment for musical instruments the combination with a ductbridge having ducts, a chamber formed in said bridge and an aperture extending from each duct to said chamber, of a screw at each duct for adjusting the size ot the aperture extending from the duct to said chamber and means for rarefying the air in said chamber, substantially as herein shown and described.

Signed at New York city, in the county oi' New Yori; and State of New York, this 18th day of December, A. D. 1900.

HARRY M. SATYER.

XVitiiesses:

Oscnn n. GUNZ, Il. M. FLANNnnx:

i the bridge,a sleeve for throwing said means in ICO

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